Approximately 80-90% of all retinoids in the body are stored as retinyl esters (REs) in the liver. Adipose tissue also contributes significantly to RE storage. The present studies, employing genetic and nutritional interventions, explored factors that are responsible for regulating RE accumulati...

Approximately 80-90% of all retinoids in the body are stored as retinyl esters (REs) in the liver. Adipose tissue also contributes significantly to RE storage. The present studies, employing genetic and nutritional interventions, explored factors that are responsible for regulating RE accumulati...

Although it is well established that hepatic macrophages play a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Moreover, it is not known whether other mononuclear phagocytes such as dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to hepatic stellate cell (H...

Although it is well established that hepatic macrophages play a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Moreover, it is not known whether other mononuclear phagocytes such as dendritic cells (DCs) contribute to hepatic stellate cell (H...

Induction or overexpression of the heme-degrading enzyme, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), has been shown to protect mice from liver damage induced by acute inflammation. We have investigated the effects of HO-1 induction in a mouse model of chronic liver inflammation and fibrogenesis with progression t...

Induction or overexpression of the heme-degrading enzyme, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), has been shown to protect mice from liver damage induced by acute inflammation. We have investigated the effects of HO-1 induction in a mouse model of chronic liver inflammation and fibrogenesis with progression t...

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contain a number of bioactive metabolites or their precursors including retinoids in their characteristic lipid droplets. The loss of lipid droplets and retinoids is a hallmark of HSC activation, but it remains unclear whether this loss promotes HSC activation, live...

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contain a number of bioactive metabolites or their precursors including retinoids in their characteristic lipid droplets. The loss of lipid droplets and retinoids is a hallmark of HSC activation, but it remains unclear whether this loss promotes HSC activation, live...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) is required for liver fibrosis. This study investigates the role of NOX in ROS production and the differential contribution of NOX from bone marrow (BM)-derived and non-BM-derived liver cells. He...

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) is required for liver fibrosis. This study investigates the role of NOX in ROS production and the differential contribution of NOX from bone marrow (BM)-derived and non-BM-derived liver cells. He...

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a major role in liver fibrosis. Recently, a homolog of angiotensin-converting-enzyme 1 (ACE1), termed ACE2, has been identified that appears to be a negative regulator of the RAS by degrading Ang II to Ang(1-7). The aim of this study was to characterize t...

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a major role in liver fibrosis. Recently, a homolog of angiotensin-converting-enzyme 1 (ACE1), termed ACE2, has been identified that appears to be a negative regulator of the RAS by degrading Ang II to Ang(1-7). The aim of this study was to characterize t...

Hepatic fibrosis develops as a response to chronic liver injury and almost exclusively occurs in a proinflammatory environment. However, the role of inflammatory mediators in fibrogenic responses of the liver is only poorly understood. We therefore investigated the role of CC chemokines and thei...